Maine Senate rejects gun-schools proposal

House to consider bill

After debating an issue that exploded into relevance following last December's Newtown, Conn., killings, the Maine Senate has rejected a bill allowing schools to have an employee who is qualified to carry a concealed handgun on school property.

Senators turned the proposal down by a 19-14 vote on Tuesday. It now faces House consideration.

As proposed by Republican Sen. David Burns of Whiting, the bill would enable school administrative units to establish rules, procedures and guidelines to allow a properly trained school employee to carry a concealed handgun on school property.

An amendment would have allowed the schools to have that person trained as a part-time law enforcement officer.

Burns sees his bill as a reasonable approach to protecting schoolchildren.